Luk 9:37 Now on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.
Luk 9:38 Then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I plead with you to look at my son– he is my only child!
Luk 9:39 A spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions and causes him to foam at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him alone, torturing him severely.
Luk 9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.”
Luk 9:41 Jesus answered, “You unbelieving and depraved generation! How much longer must I be with you and endure you? Bring your son here.”
Luk 9:42 As the boy was approaching, the demon threw him to the ground and shook him with convulsions. But Jesus reprimanded the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

how much longer?

Jesus became one of us, and he felt it. He felt compassion for a father and son — both tormented by a demon. He felt anger at the unbelieving and depraved generation he was sent to minister among. He felt frustration that he had to endure life down here. But he did endure it. He stayed with us until his plan to redeem us was accomplished. He is not a quitter.

On those days when I feel helpless like those disciples, or tormented like that family, or frustrated with my evil generation — I remember that Jesus felt all that too, and he stayed with it, he persevered through it. He overcame it.

LORD, give us the courage to persevere in living the life of your kingdom while we wait for it to arrive.